Secure Medicine Disposal

Unused, unwanted and expired medicines in your home pose a risk to you, your family and your community. Accidental poisonings and overdoses are the leading cause of injury death in Snohomish County. Improper disposal of medicine – such as putting medicines in the garbage or flushing pills down the toilet – puts other people and our environment at risk..

To learn more about the process that went into the pharmaceutical stewardship ordinance approved by the Board of Health, please visit our Pharmaceutical Stewardship page.

MED-Project Program

Snohomish County residents now have additional options for returning unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals, operated by the MED-Project Pharmaceutical Stewardship Program.

Mail-back envelopes

Disposing of used needles or sharps

Any type of sharp medical instrument that comes into contact with blood or other body fluids is considered a sharp and has the potential to spread infection. This includes any hypodermic needle, syringes with the needles attached, lancets and scalpel blades.

State and local laws prohibit placing loose sharps in your trash. If you use syringes to treat diabetes, allergies or other medical conditions, the loose syringes you throw in your trash can hurt people or be used illegally. Many pharmacies (PDF) sell sharps containers and accept properly contained used sharps, usually for a fee..